Spring-Biased Protective Collar for Protruding Fixture Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing paint shields are ineffective for protecting protruding fixtures like hanging lights and ceiling fans, as they require precise sizing and cannot be used on fixtures that protrude from a surface, leading to increased labor and time in preparing surfaces for painting.
Innovation Solution
A spring-biased protective collar shaped as a band with a convex and concave surface, tapered regions, and a compact design that fits around fixtures, providing friction to stay in place and minimizing the protected area on the surface, allowing for easy application around protruding fixtures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional paint shields are placed over fixtures, then protection is provided for recessed fixtures, but the shields cannot be used on protruding fixtures like hanging lights and ceiling fans
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing shields over the top of fixtures as in prior art, this invention places the protective collar around the periphery/protruding portion of the fixture. The collar wraps around the fixture edge, with the painted surface facing the ceiling and the protective surface facing outward, effectively protecting protruding fixtures from paint contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective collar is made as a flexible band that can wrap around various peripheries of different fixture types. The band configuration allows it to adapt to circular and other shaped protruding fixtures, providing universal protection for hanging lights, ceiling fans, and other protruding fixtures regardless of their specific dimensions.
2Manufacturing precision
If precise sizing and trimming of shields is performed, then protection accuracy is improved, but labor and time requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The protective collar is designed as a universal device that can be applied to various fixture sizes and shapes without requiring custom sizing or trimming. The flexible band design with spring bias allows it to accommodate different peripheries, eliminating the need for precise measurement and customization for each fixture.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-biased band configuration automatically adjusts to fit the fixture periphery when wrapped around it. The elastic nature of the band allows it to self-adjust to the correct circumference, eliminating the need for manual measurement, cutting, or precise positioning by the painter.
3Area of stationary object
If shields extend beyond the fixture perimeter, then protection coverage is improved, but paint contamination on the surface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective collar is designed with non-uniform thickness distribution. The band is thicker at the edges to provide robust protection, while the center portion is thinner. This local quality variation ensures protection is concentrated where needed (at the fixture periphery) while minimizing the footprint on the painted surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective function is segmented into different zones: the painted surface faces the ceiling to receive paint, while the protective surface faces outward to prevent paint contamination. This segmentation allows the collar to fulfill both protection and minimal footprint requirements simultaneously.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Reduces labor and time required for surface preparation by providing a reusable, easy-to-apply solution that effectively shields protruding fixtures from paint, maintaining aesthetics and ensuring a smooth painting process.
Implementation Method 1
The band embodies a spring bias that biases the band into a circular configuration
Implementation Method 2
the band is tapered along its length adjacent the first long edge. This causes the first long edge to be thinner than the opposite second long edge. The tapered regions minimize the footprint of the spring collar on a surface
Implementation Method 3
providing friction to stay in place
Data Source
AI summary
A protective collar for temporarily protecting an item from paint on a surface that is being painted. The protective collar is formed as a band having a convex surface and a concave surface. The band has a uniform thickness between the convex surface and the concave surface in the primary areas that are not tapered. The band embodies a spring bias that biases the band into a circular configuration. The first end and the second end of the band are tapered. Additionally, the band is tapered along its length adjacent a first long edge. This causes the first long edge to be thinner than the opposite second long edge. The tapered regions minimize the footprint of the spring collar on a surface.